Well, today is my 24th birthday. Growing up, birthdays were such a huge deal. My parents and siblings would wake me up with a cake, singing the birthday song. For lunch, my mom would buy all four of us a Lunchable (the only 4 days a year that we each got to eat unhealthy lunches), and for dinner we would have whatever my favorite meal was. Then would come the presents and cards. Everything in that day was my choice and it was pure bliss.
The first month of college was kind of a shock. Everyone eats junk food all the time and no one celebrates birthdays?!?! What the heck is going on?? It was a kind of depressing birthday for me but my friends soon got the picture and have managed to make each once since then very very special (Thanks Tish). But this is my first post-college birthday and I’m not sure what to do with myself. Mike had to leave town for work so my closest friend isn’t here. And I’ve only just started making friends in Peoria; I don’t want to call them up and say “Hey it’s my birthday and I’m lonely, wanna get a Wednesday night drink?” Hah.
So I’ve decided to bury myself in work for most of the day and stop every couple hours to remember the people that love me. Thankfully social media has me covered on that one. It’s only 7:45am and I already have 13 “happy birthdays!”
People love me. Lots of them. I am not being boastful but reminding myself and everyone reading that people love you too! There are too many times in life that loneliness can overwhelm a person. To dig yourself out just think of how many people love you. I could try to list them all but that would take forever and no one wants to read that. So just trust me.
Today may be a little less celebratory than I hoped for but I’m going to drag the celebrations into this weekend. Friday I will finish work early to get a massage and then Mike and I head to Chicago for a few days to celebrate some more. So for now, I will keep my chin up and remember…
And now, a photo montage of my 23rd year. Finding these photos made me cry.
*Scroll left and check out my comments.
A Happy Lass 
I love your open, honest, informative and inspiring blog! I hope you decide to make it a great birthday despite not being physically surrounded by your loved ones, because people all over the world are thinking of you on your special day and what an amazing person you are 🙂 Now I’ve just made a nutritiously loaded salad for lunch and will follow with epic bike ride after I finish up with a ridiculously healthy grocery shopping list!! Thank you for the motivation I needed today!! Lots of love xx
I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. Not sure who you are but Thank You! My birthday is a little bit happier because of you 🙂
Happy Birthday! Our childhood celebrations were important, but as we get older, new celebrations take their place. We make new memories, and develop new customs.
Yeah I’m starting to realize that. And I’m ok with it. Although I’ve been nervous about my last few birthdays, they’ve all turned out so amazing! Thanks Ruth 🙂